Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Anemia in Bucks County, PA
If you have anemia and are seeking hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as a management tool in Bucks County, PA, then this blog is for you. Anemia is the most common blood ailment, affecting over 3 million Americans, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an effective treatment for many health conditions. In July 2021, the FDA approved HBOT as a treatment option for severe anemia, particularly in cases where blood transfusions are unable to be used.
What is Anemia?
Anemia is a disorder that occurs when your blood produces fewer healthy red blood cells than usual.
A decrease in healthy red blood cells can occur when your body lacks enough oxygen-rich blood.
A shortage of oxygen can cause:
Fatigue
Weakness
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Headaches
Irregular heartbeat
Anemia is diagnosed by low hemoglobin or hematocrit level in a routine blood test. Hemoglobin is the primary protein found in red blood cells. It transports and distributes oxygen throughout your body. Your hemoglobin level will be low if you have anemia. If it falls below a certain level, your tissues or organs may not receive adequate oxygen. There are types of anemia that can be inherited through your genes, and some of these forms can be present in newborns.
The blood loss that occurs during menstruation and the increased need for blood supply that occurs during pregnancy both put a woman at increased risk of developing anemia. Because older people are more likely to have kidney disease or other chronic medical disorders, they are also more likely to have an increased risk of anemia. There are a lot of types of anemia which include iron deficiency anemia, hemolytic anemia, Vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia, sickle cell anemia, and more.
Mild anemia is a common and manageable illness that can affect anyone at any time. It can happen quickly or gradually and might be caused by your diet, medications, or another medical condition. In some cases, Anemia may be chronic or unresolving, which means it lasts a long period or may never totally disappear- while some types of anemia are passed down through families.
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common kind of anemia. Some types, such as the mild anemia that occurs during pregnancy, are not a big problem. However, some varieties of anemia can indicate a more serious underlying medical issue.
Anemia can sometimes be an indication of a more severe condition, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, infection-related inflammation, kidney disease, cancer, or autoimmune diseases.
Treatments for anemia vary depending on the kind and severity of the condition. Some types of mild to moderate anemia may require iron supplements, vitamins, or medications that stimulate your body’s production of red blood cells.
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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Assisting in Anemia Management
Anemia occurs when there are insufficient red blood cells to deliver oxygen throughout the body.
This shortage of oxygen causes a multitude of symptoms, as well as the possibility of lasting damage to tissues, muscles, and blood vessels. A patient receives oxygen at enhanced air pressure while relaxing in a hyperbaric chamber with hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
The anemic body suffers from low oxygen levels due to a lack of red blood cells, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy feeds the system with oxygen.
How can HBOT help patients with anemia?
HBOT can bring the body back into a 'safe zone' in severe cases where severe oxygen depletion occurs, allowing treatment of the underlying reasons.
Transfusions are a frequent treatment for red blood cell restoration, however they are not always a choice (for medical or religious reasons). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be utilized in certain circumstances to flood the system with oxygen and assist the levels in the body’s tissues return to normal.
This is true whether there is a moderate instance of anemia or severe oxygen deficiency. Because the results of HBOT vary from patient to patient, the actual frequency and duration of the therapy must be chosen on an individual basis. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an FDA-approved treatment for severe anemia and a first-line therapeutic option for sickle cell anemia.
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